H264 encoding using Mediacoder

For some of our publishers and partners there exists very valid reasons to use their own external media transcoding workflow which excludes the use of the BC3 Server-Side Transcoding functionality.

Those that need to really turn the screw on control of end quality and size you'll need to really dig deep in the more (very) advanced levers available in the encoding process: things like the Profile, Level and Predictor Frames are just some of the things you need to tweak to really squeeze the most from your encoding.

For 99% of us this is just too much specialised detail to get our heads around. Luckily the Internet is here to save us as a gateway to the real experts out there.

Here's something to try:

Download Mediacoder, an open sourced GUI tool that allows you to transcode your videos to H.264 (ready for Brightcove upload) free of charge (they have a command line tool for a cost if you like it enough).

Audio Tab
Select what makes the most sense for you - remember that audio takes up space and the majority of your audio will be consumed and LIMITED by the quality of PC like speakers so don't feel you need to up much here.

Standard Encode at 500K (uses Dynamic Delivery so you might get a higher rendition):

Custom Encode using Mediacoder and above settings at 500Kbps

You should see much less blockiness at quality degredation during fast moving, complex scenes (look at the waves in transition)

And the best bit? This file is ready for upload for immediate play back by any Brightcove player as well as it's ready for playback (thanks to the Baseline setting) on the iPhone - with a size that fits!

Not too bad.

About the author

Cameron Church

I've been working with Brightcove since 2007 when they first entered the EMEA market. Having had the privilege to lead our consultancy team here for 2 years I've had the immense pleasure to work with all our top publishers across the region. Now taking all that hands on experience I'm applying it to our Partner Channel helping taking the Brightcove Idea out of the Brightcove Product and making it a living and breathing concept.